A barber who detained the driver accused of striking Victorian MP Helen Haines with his vehicle has revealed how he stepped in during the terrifying indicent.
Ricky Jefferies, who owns the barber shop next door to Haines’ electorate office in Wangaratta, has been praised for his actions after the 65-year-old MP was critically injured in an alleged deliberate attack.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Barber hailed hero after MP allegedly attacked
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But despite being hailed a hero, the father of three young children has played down his role, describing Haines as a familiar face in the community and expressing sadness that the town has been thrust into the spotlight for such a devastating reason.
‘I just asked him to jump out’ Haines was struck by a Toyota LandCruiser outside her electorate office on Murphy St in Wangaratta, about 250km northeast of Melbourne, about 3.30pm on Monday.
The 65-year-old was standing at the rear of a parked motor vehicle when she was struck by another vehicle travelling along the street, according to Acting Superintendent Ashley Mason.
She was pinned between the LandCruiser and her own vehicle, suffering serious injuries to her legs and lower body.
Jefferies was among the civilians who intervened at the scene, with other bystanders also coming to the aid of the injured MP.
Jefferies told Sunrise on Tuesday he simply asked the man to “jump out of the car”.
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When asked whether he had to do anything further to restrain the man, Jefferies said he did not.
“He just sat on the ground,” he said.
The 43-year-old driver was subsequently arrested by police and remained in custody following the incident.
Ricky Jefferies said he initially didn’t understand the seriousness of the situation. Credit: Sunrise Jefferies said he initially didn’t understand the seriousness of the situation.
“Once it became relevant I just did what I could and what others were already trying to do,” he said.
“I don’t think that I’m a hero; I think that I just was a person who had an opportunity to intervene in a safe-ish sort of way.
“My family are everything, and my community is second to that and I was just trying to not get injured and not let anyone else be injured.”
Jefferies’ intervention has drawn widespread praise, with police thanking him and the other civilians who came to Haines’ aid and helped detain the alleged driver before officers arrived.
‘She’s a genuine member of the community’ Jefferies’ barber shop sits next door to Haines’ electorate office on Murphy St, meaning the pair were familiar with one another long before Monday’s incident.
He told Sunrise that while Haines held an important public position, she was also a regular part of everyday life in Wangaratta.
“She’s a genuine member of the community. She does hold a role of significance, but she still is a local person. She shops here, she gets a coffee here, she pops her head in,” he said.
“I knew her in terms of, ‘G’day, how are you going?’ We work next door to each other.”
Independent MP Helen Haines is in a critical condition in hospital. Credit: Mick Tsikas/AAP Jefferies described Wangaratta as a town full of good people and said Haines was more than just a politician to those who knew her locally.
“It’s a beautiful town with beautiful people, and it’s sad that this is what’s brought everyone here,” he said.
“There’s plenty of other reasons for you guys to be here filming. It’s a wonderful town full of wonderful people.”
‘He doesn’t feel like he’s a hero’ Jefferies’ sister Tanya told 7NEWS her brother was still processing what had happened.
She said the incident had been frightening for everyone involved, including those who stepped in to help.
“It’s a terrifying incident and shocking and I’m still kind of processing it,” she said.
“I was so scared of what could have happened. Obviously, Ricky didn’t end up being hurt, but it was such a serious incident. He put himself in such danger along with everybody else who helped.”
Jefferies’ sister Tanya said the incident had been frightening for everyone involved. Credit: Sunrise Despite the praise directed at her brother, Tanya said Ricky did not see himself as a hero and did not want the attention to detract from Haines or the other people who came to her aid.
“He very much doesn’t feel like he’s a hero,” she said.
“He doesn’t want to take any attention away from Helen and the people that stopped and helped Helen.”
“We obviously feel like he’s a hero, and everyone who stopped and helped … very much a hero.”
Back behind the barber’s chair Despite the frightening events of Monday afternoon, Jefferies was back at work cutting hair at Ricky’s Chop Shop from 7am on Tuesday morning.
The father of three young children has remained reluctant to accept the attention, but his actions have been praised by locals, with reviews posted to the barber shop’s Google Reviews page describing him as a “hero” and commending him for stepping in.
Haines underwent surgery overnight and remains in a critical condition.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the incident as an attempt to harm Haines, saying it was “not an accident”.
A major investigation, including a counter-terrorism probe, is underway.